Educational method for identifying right and left footwear utilizing a split graphic and corresponding split word footwear insert

ABSTRACT

The present embodiment is a footwear insert. In further detail the present embodiment offers an educational split graphic and split text system to assist a wearer in identification of left and right footwear. In addition, the present embodiment offers personal identification information related to the wearer of the inserts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

application Ser. No. 13/837,037 dated Mar. 15, 2013 is now abandon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field is footwear; and more particularly, to the field of footwear inserts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insoles on the market today, which are supplied by manufacturers of shoes are typically sewn or glued directly in shoes and offer no purpose to the wearer other than identifying the manufacturer of their particular shoe.

Insoles do not offer information on the wearer of the shoe. Specifically, this may be helpful for children, and adults with disabilities, who may become separated from a caregiver, or may be unable to communicate vital information such as name, address, phone number, medical information, caregiver contact information, emergency information, and the like.

Insoles are not known for being educational, customizable, or directionally helpful.

While inserts on the market today may solve some issues for the wearer such as arch support or additional cushioning, none offer an educational split graphic for right and left shoe identification system or with a personal identification system for the wearer.

There is not an adequate educational system for helping people identify their left from their right shoe. Therefore, this system is a non-obvious system in today's market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment of the invention may utilize a split graphic and/or text, with approximately half of the image on the left insert and the remaining half on the right insert, so that when the inserts are placed inside of the shoes and the right and left shoes are placed together, the graphic and/or text is completed and thus puts the left and the right shoe in the correct order.

In one example of the embodiment of the invention, the left shoe insert may show the head portion of a dinosaur graphic with the letters DINO, and the right shoe insert shows the tail portion of the dinosaur graphic with the letters SAUR; when placed together you see a completed side view of a dinosaur graphic from head to tail along with the completed word DINOSAUR.

The embodiment of the invention may utilize a variety of graphics and text, allowing consumers the ability to select relevant images and words for them. In addition, the graphics and text may be produced in a variety of shapes and colors.

The embodiment of the invention may use a personal identification information system which clearly identifies the wearer of the shoes. There is a place for the wearer's name, contact information such as name, address, phone number, medical information, emergency information, and the like.

Embodiments of the invention may be made in a non-standard footbed insert shape.

The graphics and text may be applied to the invention in one of the following ways, though not limited to, dye sublimation printing, pad printing, heat transfer stamping, hot stamping, screen printing, stenciling, sticker application, adhesive taping, fabric, iron-on transfer, painting, stitching, gluing, and the like.

The invention may be constructed of a sufficiently pliable and strong material including, but not limited to, PORON (in any or all forms), urethanes, polyolefin, foam, cork, latex, leather, fabric, charcoal, rubber, recycled car tires, plastic, gel, cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, neoprene, vinyl, sponge, viscoelastic, Texon, and all cellulose-based materials, Gore-Tex; organic, synthetic, or otherwise, and the like and may be a suitable thickness, ranging from 0.50 mm-10.50 mm.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Shown in FIG. 1 is a top view of the inserts 200A, 200B inside a pair of shoes 110A, 110B. The inserts are visible in the heel position of the shoe.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a pair of full shoe shape footbed inserts 200A, 200B. The inserts have a background circle imprinted and within the circle there is a split graphic 220A, 220B, and split text 230A, 230B.

Shown in FIG. 3, are full shoe shape footbed inserts 300A, 300B. The inserts have a background circle imprinted and within the circle there is a split graphic 320A, 320B in the heel area without text.

Shown in FIG. 4, are full shoe shape footbed inserts 400A, 400B. The inserts have a background circle imprinted and within the circle there is split text 430A, 430B in the heel area without graphics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shown in FIG. 1 is the top view of the inserts 200A, 200B inside a pair of shoes 100A, 100B. The inserts are only visible in the heel portion of the shoes with the split graphic and text visible and as described in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of the full footbed shaped insert 200A, 200B is shown outside of the shoe. The left shoe insert shows the head portion 220A of the dinosaur graphic with the letters 230A “DINO”, and the right shoe insert shows the tail portion 220B of the dinosaur graphic with the letters “SAUR”.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of the full footbed shaped insert 400A, 400B is shown outside of the shoe. In this embodiment of the invention, only a split text is used to facilitate recognition of left and right shoe. The left shoe insert shows the letters 430A “DINO”, and the right shoe insert shows the letters 430B “SAUR”.

The middle section of the inserts 400A, 400B a lined area 450A, 450B is provided for the wearer or guardian of the wearer of the shoes to write down contact information of the wearer, such as name, address, phone number, medical information, emergency information, and the like.

The text may be applied as described in FIG. 2 and be of a material and thickness also described in FIG. 2. 

1. The invention will utilize a split graphic and/or text, with approximately half of the image on the left insert and the remaining half on the right insert, so that when the two halves are placed together, the graphic and/or text is completed and thus puts the left and the right shoes in the correct order.
 2. As described in claim 1, all designs used on the embodiments of the invention may utilize alternate background geometric shapes, animal shapes, vehicle shapes, or any shape relevant to that of any graphic and corresponding text.
 3. As described in claim 1, adding the letters that spell each image shape used, help teach letter and word recognition of the familiar image when the right and left inserts are placed in the proper order over a period of time.
 4. The invention will utilize a standard full footbed shape commonly used in the market today, but will not be limited by that shape alone in future embodiments of the invention.
 5. All embodiments of the invention may provide the wearer with a personal identification system which clearly identifies the wearer of the shoes.
 6. The graphics and text on all embodiments of the invention described in claims 1-5 may be applied to the inserts in one of the following ways, though not limited to, dye sublimation printing, pad printing, heat transfer stamping, hot stamping, screen printing, stenciling, sticker application, adhesive taping, fabric, iron-on transfer, painting, stitching, gluing, and the like.
 7. All embodiments of the invention as described in claims 1-5, may be a suitable thickness, ranging from 0.50 mm-10.50 mm.
 8. All embodiments of the invention described in claims 1-5 may be constructed of a sufficiently pliable and strong material including, but not limited to, PORON (in any or all forms), urethanes, polyolefin, foam, cork, latex, leather, fabric, charcoal, rubber, recycled car tires, plastic, gel, cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, neoprene, vinyl, sponge, viscoelastic, Texon, and all cellulose-based materials, Gore-Tex; organic, synthetic, or otherwise, and the like. 